This is a brand new feature for the blog! This is where I ask publishing professionals (authors, marketers, and bloggers) some awesome questions!

Today I am happy to have Paula Stokes on the blog! She is the author of The Art of Lainey, a book I absolutely loved myself, check out my review here. Without further ado, here is Paula!

 
--> 1. Explain what part of the Publishing world you are a part of (i.e. Publisher, Author, Blogger etc.) 

I’m an author. We’re the ones who spend all day in our pajamas on twitter, publicly angsting about our deadlines and tweeting pictures of our cats when we should be working.
2. Who is your favourite author of all time, and why?  

Tough question, but I’m going to say Dean Koontz, because he’s the first author I ever loved so much I read all of his books. He really kept me reading as I transitioned to high school and all of its non-readerly distractions, AKA boys. Also, my mom (she’s the cutest) sent him a snail mail when I got my first book deal and invited him to my launch (Me: OMG, Mom. You didn’t!) He couldn’t make it, but he sent us both personal responses and autographed books. Love you, Dean!
 
3. Who would you chose to play you in the movie depicting your life?  

Jewel Staite. She’s very quirky and energetic. That’s how I roll.
4. What was/is your favourite candy or snack from your childhood? 

I feel like this implies I’m supposed to be eating grownup snacks now or something, and I still eat Pop Tarts and Smuckers Uncrustables for meals. And zebra cakes!
5. Who is your favorite fictional character, and why?  

Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities. So much bravery. So much unconditional love. I am not as good of a person as Sydney Carton, but I would like to be someday.
6. Do you have a TV show that is your guilty pleasure? If so which one is it? 

Chicago Fire. Do I need to explain why? ;-)
7. Do you have a bucket list? If she what is one item on that list?  

Shark dive with great white sharks.
8. Are you a Mac or PC?  

Total PC.
9. Do you have a favourite fictional couple? 

Veronica Mars and Logan. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but since there were no violent outbursts on twitter, I will assume things go the way the whole freaking world wants them to go. Good call, Rob Thomas.
10. What is your most anticipated movie you cannot wait to see, and why? 

Honestly, I’m not looking forward to any movies right now. I spend a lot of time in front of the screen writing, so I try to limit screen-time when I’m not working.
11. What season is your favourite, and why? 

Fall, I think. The weather is still okay to be outside and it’s cool enough that I can wear my tall boots and knitted hats. I love boots and hats!
12. If you could do any profession, other than your own for a day, which would it be and why?  

Dolphin trainer, zookeeper, pet detective. I like animals! But I would still have to write too.
13. Who was your first ever concert?  

Alice in Chains
14. Where is your favourite reading spot, and why?  

My sofa. There’s just enough room for me and my two kitties to snuggle in and read together. (Well, one of them just likes to lick the covers, but I’m pretty sure the other one is reading :D)
15. Did you have a nickname as a child? If she what was it? 

 My family calls me Dee, to this day. It’s a long story.
16. What posters did you hang on your wall when you were younger?  

OMG—every single millimeter of space was covered with rock band posters. Guns and Roses, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains. Less cool bands that I won’t name here ;-) I even tried to put posters on the ceiling.
17. What is your favourite genre to read, and why?

I am a girl who reads across genres. I love contemporary books that make me feel all snuggly. I like murder mysteries that keep me frantically turning pages to find out whodunit. I like scary horror books I have to read with the lights on.
18. If you could describe yourself as a potato chip flavour, why would it be and why? 

I’m kind of addicted to Chicken in a Biskit crackers, so I’m going to say those. Like me, they look kind of plain and ordinary, but when you try them you find out they’re really flavorful, yet it’s difficult to pin down what makes them so delicious.
19. Do you agree with the notion that over time, ebooks will eliminate print books? 

I mean, maybe someday, but people said that about newspapers like 15 years ago and we still have those. Honestly, I don’t worry about it. I really love print books, but I also really love trees. It’s kind of a win-win for me.
20. What book are you most looking forward to reading this year?

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. Also Tabula Rasa by Kristen Lippart-Martin.

Kristen Lippart-Martin—one of the funniest writers I know!





ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Paula Stokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She started out writing historical fiction under a pen name and is now branching out into other YA genres.

When she's not working (rare), she's kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. She's petted tigers, snuggled snakes, snorkeled with stingrays, and once enjoyed the suction-cuppy feel of a baby elephant's trunk as it ate peanuts from her palm. Her future goals include diving with Great White sharks, learning Krav Maga, and writing a whole slew of novels, not necessarily in that order.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be? 

Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads